About Me
I am a gal who wears many stylish hats: author, CBA award-winning bookseller, reviewer, teacher, playwright, director, and scholar. I have a degree in drama from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from the University of British Columbia. Given the opportunity, I will talk your ear off about kids books.
My first middle grade novel, Words That Start With B, came out September 2010 from Scholastic Canada, followed by the sequel, Love is a Four-Letter Word and Days That End in Y. These books follow the misadventures of Clarissa Louise Delaney as she navigates those tricky tween years. My upcoming book, Summer Days, Starry Nights is a coming of age story set on a summer resort in Northern Ontario in 1962.
I grew up in the wilds of Woodstock, Ontario and I am currently living in Toronto in The Junction with my urban family (my roommates and I have lived together for 6 years) and my cat, the ever patient and lovely Barb. When not writing, I can be found a HarperCollins Canada, in the Marketing department.
On this blog you will find book recommendations, thoughts on the kids’ book industry in general, and updates on my own books and events.
Did I mention I love kid’s books?
I believe you should dream one impossible thing a day. Who knows which one might come true.
Hey Vicki,
really enjoy reading your blog, must be your practise space for when you’re a really, really famous author. I can’t believe you have a red door on your house. Why oh why is it not pink?
Vikki! How do I “subscribe” to your blog?? I can’t figure it out!
Vikki,
Hats off to you for following your dreams and for publishing “Words that start with B”! I can’t wait to crack the cover!
You may not remember me but years ago at Northdale Public School I taught you French (for one year) and was convinced then that your imagination and creativity would take you places – - – so I must say I’m not surprised to read about your recent successes and your house with a red door!!!
Keep inspiring people to read and to follow their dreams!
Nancy Smith (Mademoiselle)
Love your blog!
Vikki~~~
HOW WONDERFUL!!! Congratulations!!!
I am so excited for you and so look forward to ‘Words that Start with B’!
I am not surprised at all, you are one talented lady.
Lots of love and hugs!
WOW!!!
Vikki, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. My daughter is always thrilled when an author thanks us for the review of her book, and we now look forward to reading your next middle grade book. Congratulations once again on the success of Words That start With B!
Hi Vikki,
I just finished reading your book (which I tried my best to flash about while reading in public, leaving search pages open to its pinkness at Chapters, etc) and wanted to let you know how wonderful I thought it was.
I especially loved the voice of Clarissa, who reminds me of one student I know in particular and of so many, generally, who are going through the huge-emotions-but-must….(seem to) hate……everything stage of growing up. I can certainly see this ending up in classrooms, especially those like the rural Ontario school where I attended elementary.
Thanks so much for sharing Clarissa and Benji and friends with the world. You’re a bit of a superhero yourself!
Jessi Linn
Vikki,
I am proud to say that I just bought your first book. My daughters are too young to read this yet but I will tell them all about the author that I taught. Good luck with everything.
Randy
Vikki, Your book is wonderful. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of you. I’m in Toronto as well, so let’s get a cup of coffee sometime and catch up, okay? Email me and we’ll find some time. Hugs. Shannon.
I haven’t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it friend
Vickie,
it was a priviledge to hear you speak today at North Toronto Moms.
It is rare to see someone with such a gift as you have, putting it to such good use and all the while enjoying it with a presence that is inspiring.
I plan to bring my 8 year old Emily (the mystery reader) in to the bookstore soon, wondering which days we might find you in, she is excited to meet an author in person and you are definately my author of choice. She is hoping she is old enough to read Words That Start With B soon…
Best regards and wishings for continued writing success,
Idas
Hey Vikki,
I saw an article in the good ol’ Oxford Review, stating that your book was on the best seller list. Congratulations!! I was excited to see your success!
All the best,
Jen de Wit (nee Boyce)
Thanks, Jen! I am mightly pleased with how things are going.It is very surreal to see articles like that!
Oh Vikki, i’m so happy that your coming out with a new book. In September maybe i’ll ask my mom if she’ll by it for me for my birthday in september.
That sounds like a great plan! B is for birthday, afterall, and “gift” is a four letter word
Hi!
We can’t wait for your book
I loved the flying dragon… so sad its gone…
a flow of emotions… :S
[...] at the Vancouver location, Vikki VanSickle will be launching Love is a Four-Letter Word on September [...]
My name is Mia. I too live in a house in ontario in toronto in a house with brown doors and a bulldog name, dozer. I do think we should believe you should dream one impossible thing a day. Who knows which one might come true.
A big fan of yours, Mia (I commented on all the other pages if you want to see it)
Hi Mia! Thanks for stopping by! Dozer is a great name for a bulldog. My cat’s name is Barb, which just so happens to be both a word that starts with B AND a four letter word! How is that for coincidence?! I’m so glad you enjoyed my books! It is very rewarding to hear from a reader, so thank you for making my day!
Hey Vikki,
If you’re still interested in coming in to speak at my school, send me an email. I can hook you up with the librarian’s email address to organize a date. Your books are on sale here for the Book Fair!
[...] By Vicki VanSickle [...]
Very cool blog. I’m glad I found it.
Thanks, Franco! I’m glad you stopped by, too!
Hi Vikki,
I’m doing a biography about you and I would to learn more!
Where can I get the information that I need?
A book-lover and dream-follower,
Taryn
Hi again,
I have another question for you….. Do you have any hobbies?
Book-lover and dream-follower,
Taryn
I have way too many to list. I’ll email you and we can chat about this biography you’re working on!
I must say my students were thrilled to have you come into our class at AP in Prince Albert. The girls that wrote the mini chapter book are filled with writing power. They can’t stop talking about you:)
Hi Kim! That’s excellent news! Thank you so much for letting me know. I have their book here with me and will send you some comments for them by the end of the week.
It was a pleasure to meet you Thursday, June 7 in Mississauga. Your journey on becoming a writer was inspiring. Your success is well-deserved and earned.
Thank you for inspiring my daughter Kristen today at Telling Tales. She likes to write and draw. We immediately went and bought one of your books. We have been to all 4 Telling Tales Festivals. You were lucky to be on the Summer Stage surrounded by old buildings and trees that are starting to change colour. I took some photos of you today. I can email them to you, if you wish.
Hi Barbara, thanks for picking up a book for Kristen and then seeking me out online! I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of such a beautiful festival. Not only was the setting gorgeous, but every single presenter and person I met was kind, engaged, and truly excited to be there. What a gift of a festival Telling Tales is! I would love to see the photos you took!
Hello Vikki,
I hope you remember me as a passionate Flying Dragon customer! I loved the store…..and never read a book recommended by you that I didn’t love. My 3 kids still look for the store everytime we pass that stretch of Bayview.
I’m working on a project now that I thought you might be interested in hearing about — it’s all about kids, books, passion, and dreaming.
Would love to connect to tell you about it.
Best,
Laura Dunne
Vikki, we just bought your book Days That End in Y, and wondered if the “Victoria Park” you mention on the first page is the Victoria Park in Cobourg, Ontario. We’re giving the book to our granddaughter and it would be exciting if it was Cobourg, as she lives there.
Thanks,
Barb
Hi Barb! I’m sorry to say it isn’t Cobourg, but it could be! I specifically called the park Victoria Park because it seems like every small town in Ontario has a park with that name. This way kids from all over (like your granddaughter in Cobourg) could relate to it. I hope she enjoys the book and thank you for the support!